Chapter 2

Here is my second chapter. Intro main bad guy :) Be prepared for some serious family problems.

 

Chapter 2

 

Spring of 528, the Black Age,

 

            Kalanrae stood at the front gates, looking forebodingly at the heavyset doors. She let out a sigh as she continued through the gates. Some of the more experienced guards nodded and showed their respect to her, while the newer recruits seemed unconcerned. It wasn’t a known fact that the King had a daughter. Most people, especially the guards, respected her for her prowess in fighting. One of the newer guards came up to her.

            “Are you Kalanrae?” He asked harshly.

            “Yes, I am and you are?”

            “You don’t need to know that half-breed. I was told to bring you to King Durryn’s audience as soon as you returned.” He went to grab her arm, but never got close. She easily dodged him, taking his arm instead and spinning him.

            “If you continue to disrespect me, this half-breed is going to end you.” She shoved him forward.

            “Darat, Kalanrae may be a half-elf but she is no weakling and she will kill you.” Said one of the older guards.

            “I doubt it.” The ignorant man said, he stared at her trying to intimidate her.

            She ran her deceptively delicate hand through her hair, showing off her pointed ears. “You wouldn’t be the first guard I’ve killed.” Kalanrae said, walking off toward the audience hall.

            “She isn’t lying; I have seen her take a guard’s life for the same stupidity you just showed.” Darat grumbled as he went to catch up with her.

            She heaved a great sigh as she stood before the heavy doors of the audience hall. When Darat caught up to her she smirked at him. “Aren’t you going to announce me to your King? I can’t imagine he would be happy if I just walked in.”

            With a hateful glare Darat rapped twice on the door then called out her name. After an uncomfortable length of time a deep voice called from behind the door, “Enter.” Darat glared at her one last time before he yanked open the imposing doors. Kalanrae walked in unbothered by his antics. For a long while nothing was said, she waited for the King to start the conversation. After several long minuets Darat started to get restless, after some time he felt courageous enough to speak.

            “King Durryn what do you wish done with this worthless half-breed?” he shot Kalanrae a smug look.

            The fearsome King sat very still on his throne his hands intertwined supporting his chin. Ever so slowly he stood with the soft tinkle of metal on metal, and paced over to him. “You are very ignorant. Your hatred blinds you. It will be your death. Now leave.”

            “Ye… Yes Sir.” The young soldier turned on his heel and left the room, after he left the King smirked at Kalanrae.

            “Is it done?” he inquired.

            “Yes.”

            Durryn rubbed his hands together a terrible satisfaction glinting in his grey eyes. “Good, very good.” He turned and looked her over slowly. “You seem troubled. I would know what keeps you awake.”

            “Nothing of importance.” She glared at him from the corner of her eye.

            “I can not in good faith send you to do my bidding if you cannot rest, I’ll not lose such a good investment because you are drunk with sleep.”

            “You will not loss me because of a mistake on my part.” She stared hard at the top of his thrown.

            He stood still for a long while tapping his chin, “Look at me child.” She flinched as he addressed her, slowly she turned her head. He grabbed her chin and yanked it upwards forcing her to look him in the eye. Kalanrae had to fight the urge to jump away.

            “So you wish to leave me? Are you planning on running away then?” he broke into cold laughter. He ran his gloved hand through his brown hair. As his amusement subsided he looked her in the eye and spoke in a chilling voice. “If you leave me, you will regret it. For I will burn it into every fiber of you’re being again and again.”

            “Yes sir.”

            “Again with this formal nonsense, I am your father.” Kalanrae tensed a bit more and looked out the only window in the room. “I will call on you later; I can see that you have been gone to long. Your discipline is slipping.”

            “Yes sir.” She turned to leave as his hand settled on her shoulder.

            “I will be waiting, do not be late.” With a painful squeeze he shoved her forward.

            She left the room quickly, turning down the corridor heading to her bedchamber. She stalked down the hallway, her mood becoming increasingly foul the farther she went. When she was tapped on the arm she barely stopped herself from punching the offender.

            “Is that how you greet an old friend?” said a slender man.

            “Sometimes.”

            “What’s got you in a huff?” he asked a strand of his platinum blond hair falling over an eye.

            “Vondul, do you really need to ask that?”

            “Already? He’s not even waiting a couple days?” Vondul asked concern settling into his features.

            “Is it common for elves to be so optimistic that they can’t grasp reality?” she said frowning.

            “Kala, if he starts now you’ll be dead in a week! I doubt even he could save you.” He whispered franticly as he pulled her in the direction of Kalanrae’s room.

            “So you think I can’t handle a whipping?” she asked eyeing him.

            When they were safely into her room he burst out, “If anyone can take a whipping it is you, but his little ‘obedience’ lessons haven’t just been whippings!”

            She silenced him with an up raised hand. “I know Von, I know.” She sat down on a chair putting her hands on her face.

            “We could leave! Flee from this place in the middle of the night!” he said looking hopeful.

            “By the end of this night I will hardly have the strength to stand…” for a long while they were quiet trying to find a solution to an impossible question.

            “Leave.”

            Vondul looked at her questioningly. “What?”

            “Leave. You can leave this place and not attract any attention. If I do it will be with the entire castle guard on my heels.” She looked at him with her fingers crossed over her mouth.

            “And why would I do that?”

            “Because this is not the place for you. You are an elf, in a city full of smelly humans. This is not your place. You said it yourself; you miss your home in Amalae.”

            “And what of Kalanrae? She is no human.”

            "Kalanrae will have only two roads to walk this day.” She let her head fall back to look at the ceiling.

            Vondul walked over to her and rested his hand on her shoulder. “What are you planning young one?”

            She looked at him for a long while before responding, “What I am planning will either get me killed or I will be able to escape this place.”

            “And I can not help you?”

            “No I would not drag you into this. Either I die today or I will be riding to Amalae with you before half the night is gone.”

            “There is no convincing you otherwise is there.” Vondul said.

            “No, this is my problem to deal with.”

            “So shall I meet you by the game trail that leads up the mountain?” he looked at her, quiet fear simmering just under the surface.

            “Yes, yes that sounds good.” She looked at him for a moment then stood, “Thank you.”

            “For what?”

            “For doing what I asked and not helping me.”

            “It feels wrong, but I know this is your fight. But so you know that ever you must face that monster again I’ll not stand idly by.”

            “I would expect nothing less from you.” They clasped their forearms together before Vondul, pulled her into a tight embrace, and left the room.

            As he left the room Kalanrae slowly sat on the edge of her bed. The chaotic and risky thoughts of a plan forming in her head.

 

Author's Note

I was trying to get a creepy undertone going between Kala and her dad. Not sure if i succeeded. Let me know what you think and if you think there are areas I need to work on!!